Tennessee Tech makes historic move to Southern Conference, leaving Ohio Valley after 77 years
'This historic move changes the trajectory of our athletic aspirations and makes a statement to our campus and our community that Tech sports will be a part of a vibrant conference with new geographic rivalries,' athletic director Casey Fox said in a statement.
That will make the Southern Conference an 11-team league when Tennessee Tech joins East Tennessee State, Chattanooga, The Citadel, Furman, Mercer, North Carolina-Greensboro, Samford, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina and Wofford.
Tennessee Tech will have 14 of its 15 sports competing in the Southern Conference. Beach volleyball is not a conference sport.
The Golden Eagles are the preseason pick to win the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South title after going 7-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play last season. Tennessee Tech is ranked No. 22 in the Football Championship Series' Top 25.
'Tech proves that winning and academic achievement go hand-in-hand — the Southern Conference standard,' Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross said.
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